1. Gender Equity: The Work of Myra Sadker

Click here to visit the Myra Sadker Advocates Web site. You will learn about your textbook's co-author, the late Myra Pollack Sadker, and her extensive work in the field of gender equity.

Based on this Web site's content, define gender equity. Then choose three concepts from the list of Key Terms for Chapter 5 and discuss how they relate to gender equity and Myra Sadker's mission.

Finally, take special note of the announcement for Myra Sadker Day, a day to break gender barriers, celebrated every March 5th. The site lists more than 100 ways to break gender barriers, many of which can be done by preservice educators. How many more ways can you come up with?

2. Hidden America: Homeless Families

Click here to visit the Web site for the National Center for Homeless Education. Based on what you see here, how much progress have we made since the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (as amended in 1990) in terms of educating homeless children? Summarize the NCHE's current initiatives and resources.

What strategies can you come up with for addressing this growing problem?

3. Children: At Promise or At Risk?

The following Web sites correspond to the six "At Risk" categories discussed in your textbook. Of course, there are many other organizations working to solve these problems, but these sites will give you a good idea of how some educators, mental health professionals, government groups, and local communities are trying to address these important issues. Take a few moments to peruse each site. Then choose the three organizations that are most interesting to you and answer the questions below.

National Dropout Prevention Center

National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

NEA Health Information Network

National Institute on Drug Abuse: NIDA Goes to School

Youth Suicide Prevention Program (Washington State)

Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network

No matter which three sites you chose, you will find that they offer guidelines, statistics and strategies to assist youth at risk. What patterns do you notice in the data? Resources? Strategies?

How might these organizations work together? Based on these Web sites, how do you think school districts can respond to the needs of students who fall into several of these categories (e.g., homosexual and suicidal)?